Jordan Pickford’s faith a huge boost in Everton’s survival bid

If Everton are dragged back into the relegation mire, Jordan Pickford has no intention of engineering an escape from Goodison Park.

Two wins in three games under Sean Dyche, the new manager, have eased the club out of the bottom three and increased confidence that the worst is over in a traumatic campaign. Pickford has signed a new four and a half year deal without a relegation clause is a further sign that Dyche’s players are not planning for life outside of the Premier League.

Pickford had been in negotiations for months the deal, which runs until 2027, represents an extension to his existing terms, which were due to expire at the end of next season.

“Everton is a massive club,” Pickford said. “The past few seasons have not been what we wanted but we now have a manager who I believe will point us in the right direction and get us up the table. It’s definitely my aim to be successful at this club. The fans, the staff and my teammates have been great with me from the moment I joined and I want to be great for them.

“I just want to keep working hard and performing for Everton. We know we are in a tough place at the moment in the league but I’m eager to help the team improve this season and then aim for success in the future, which will include playing in our new stadium.

“This contract will take me to more than 10 years at Everton and I want to build a legacy here to put myself up there with the likes of Neville Southall to be one of the best keepers to have played for Everton.”

Pickford could have been forgiven for seeking somewhere less volatile. Since his first call-up to train with Sunderland’s senior squad in 2014, it is an extraordinary quirk that he has worked under 14 different managers at two clubs – seven in three years in the North East and the same number in six seasons at Goodison Park.

If he seriously considered a transfer, it could be argued his options were limited given English football’s most regular Champions League participants have well-established No 1s.

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Only Tottenham Hotspur had been seriously linked with the England keeper, while top four wannabes Newcastle United opted to pursue Pickford’s international rival, Nick Pope, rather than make Everton a substantial offer.

Nevertheless, Pickford would not be short of admirers overseas if the worst-case scenario of a drop into the championship materialised, so it is admirable he is seeking no way out in such circumstances.

‘We will be looking at ways to rub off on him’

Although talks with Pickford began under Frank Lampard last summer, his deal affirms his faith in the direction of the club under Dyche, despite a prolonged period of uncertainty on and off the pitch.

“[The new deal] is a sign he’s enjoying our new regime, if you like. He’s accepted what we’re looking to offer,” said Dyche.

“I’m learning about Jordan. He has been very open about himself and how he feels about himself here. He has done a lot in his career. But there are all different ways you can rub off on people.

“We will be looking at different ways to rub off on him.”

Despite a recent error in the Merseyside derby, Pickford has found a new level of consistency over the past two years. Some of his performances in 2022 ranked among his finest.

One especially memorable save to deny Cesar Azpilicuata in a crucial Everton victory over Chelsea last season proved to be a turning point in his club’s survival quest.

Although Pickford’s England position has been consistently questioned, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale and Newcastle’s Pope have not been able to dislodge him yet. Gareth Southgate’s decision to stay on will ensure the jersey is still his for the start of the European championship qualifying campaign.

Those closest to him at Everton see a different, more mature character, than the one who signed for £30 million in 2017.

“I spoke to him about that,” said Dyche. “With his shot-stopping ability, his game knowledge, he is super fast around his box, all these things that you already know, becoming that club elder statesman, keepers have that feel about them that resonates around the stadium. Adding that to his game. Some of it comes with natural maturation. You get older, you get different characteristics, you’re a bit wiser and they all rub off on you.

“He was playing at a young age, the experiences that he’s had, they mould you into being more professional. I think he’s still on that journey. What is he? 28? There’s still plenty of football in that when you’re a keeper particularly, he’s kind of midway through. Keepers play longer. He’s become rounded as well, not just the technical parts, he’s becoming more rounded as a keeper and that’s what we want him to do.”